Anaerobic culture of Clostridium perfringens on blood agar. The characteristic double zone of clear beta-hemolysis around a colony is clearly seen (arrow).

Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) is one of the most common causes of food poisoning in the United States. According to some estimates, this type of bacteria causes nearly a million illnesses each year.

Gangrene sets in when you least expect it.

Gas gangrene is a type of wet gangrene resulting from clostridial infection, especially Clostridium perfringens (welchii). Clostridia are anaerobic organisms that can survive and multiply only in tissues where there is a low oxygen tension.